Apparatus and method for providing transitions between screens

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that provide a visual transition from an origin screen to a destination screen by applying a graphical effect to the origin screen based on a user input that is received. The graphical effect includes a translation aspect and a rotational aspect. The rotational aspect may have an angle of rotation that is defined based on characteristics of the input received, such as an initial or instantaneous position of receipt of the input or a speed of movement of the input. Thus, the graphical effect simulates a physical reaction of the origin screen to the input (for example, giving the appearance that the origin screen is a physical object that is reacting to the user input as an applied force in the real world).

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to providingtransitions between screens that are presented on displays of devicesbased on characteristics of the input provided by the user.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in mobile device technology have provided mobile devices,such as cellular telephones and portable digital assistants (PDAs), thathave increased functionality and allow users greater access and controlof information. Users may access a number of screens displayinginformation, may navigate between screens, and may manipulate theinformation presented on the screens to arrange the information in a waythat suits the user's preferences. Moreover, some of the screensaccessed by the user may comprise information associated with one ormore programs that may or may not be in execution. For example, someprograms may be running, while other programs may be dormant, but may beinvoked upon user interaction with a representation of the program (suchas an icon).

The portable nature of mobile devices generally means that the size ofthe displays provided on the mobile devices is relatively small. Thus,users may, at times, only see portions of the information they haveaccessed depending on how much information can be presented within thearea of the display provided.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an improved mechanism forconveying to the user that the device is transitioning views from onescreen to another and for indicating which screens are being accessed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, embodiments of an apparatus, method, and computer programproduct are described that can provide for transitions between screens.In particular, embodiments of an apparatus for providing for transitionsbetween screens may include at least one processor and at least onememory including computer program code. The at least one memory and thecomputer program code may be configured to, with the processor, causethe apparatus to at least provide for display of an origin screen withina viewing area, where the origin screen represents a first interactivecontent, and where the origin screen defines a reference point. The atleast one memory and the computer program code may be further configuredto, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive an input from auser comprising a movement component and to provide for a visualtransition from the origin screen to a destination screen representing asecond, different interactive content in response to the input byapplying a graphical effect to the display of the origin screen. Thegraphical effect may comprise a translation aspect so as to cause theorigin screen to move along an axis with respect to the viewing area, aswell as a rotational aspect so as to cause the origin screen to rotateabout the reference point.

In some cases, the translation aspect of the graphical effect maycomprise movement along the axis in a direction that is substantiallythe same as a direction of the movement component of the input. Thetranslation aspect of the graphical effect may be proportional to themovement component of the input.

The rotational aspect of the graphical effect may define an angle ofrotation, and the at least one memory and the computer program code maybe further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus todetermine the angle of rotation based at least in part on an initialposition of receipt of the input with respect to the reference point.Alternatively, the at least one memory and the computer program code maybe further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus todetermine the angle of rotation based at least in part on aninstantaneous position of receipt of the input with respect to thereference point, such that the angle of rotation varies as theinstantaneous position of the receipt of the input varies. In stillother cases, the at least one memory and the computer program code maybe further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus todetermine the angle of rotation based at least in part on a speed of themovement component of the input.

The graphical effect may simulate a physical response of the originscreen to the input based on at least one of a position of the inputwith respect to the reference point, a speed of the movement componentof the input, and a direction of the movement component of the input.

In other embodiments, a method and a computer program product aredescribed for providing for transitions between screens by providing fordisplay of an origin screen within a viewing area, where the originscreen represents a first interactive content and where the originscreen defines a reference point; receiving an input from a usercomprising a movement component; and providing for a visual transitionfrom the origin screen to a destination screen representing a second,different interactive content in response to the input by applying agraphical effect to the display of the origin screen. The graphicaleffect may comprise a translation aspect so as to cause the originscreen to move along an axis with respect to the viewing area and mayfurther comprise a rotational aspect so as to cause the origin screen torotate about the reference point.

In some cases, the translation aspect of the graphical effect maycomprise movement along the axis in a direction that is substantiallythe same as a direction of the movement component of the input. Thetranslation aspect of the graphical effect may be proportional to themovement component of the input.

The rotational aspect of the graphical effect may define an angle ofrotation, and providing for a visual transition may comprise determiningthe angle of rotation based at least in part on an initial position ofreceipt of the input with respect to the reference point. In some cases,providing for a visual transition may comprise determining the angle ofrotation based at least in part on an instantaneous position of receiptof the input with respect to the reference point, such that the angle ofrotation varies as the instantaneous position of the receipt of theinput varies. Furthermore, providing for a visual transition maycomprise determining the angle of rotation based at least in part on aspeed of the movement component of the input.

In still other embodiments, an apparatus is described for providing fortransitions between screens. The apparatus includes means for providingfor display of an origin screen within a viewing area, where the originscreen represents a first interactive content and where the originscreen defines a reference point; means for receiving an input from auser comprising a movement component; and means for providing for avisual transition from the origin screen to a destination screenrepresenting a second, different interactive content in response to theinput by applying a graphical effect to the display of the originscreen. The graphical effect may comprise a translation aspect so as tocause the origin screen to move along an axis with respect to theviewing area and may further comprise a rotational aspect so as to causethe origin screen to rotate about the reference point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a communication system according to anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus forproviding for a visual transition from an origin screen to a destinationscreen according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a stroke gesture including a movement componentaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a visual transition from an origin screen to afirst screen according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a visual transition from an origin screen to asecond screen according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a visual transition from an origin screen to athird screen according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an origin screen that includes an indication of anassociation of a first area with a first screen and a second area with asecond screen according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an input applied to an origin screen, where a portionof the input is received within the first area according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an origin screen that is a lock screen accordingto an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate a visual transition provided by applying agraphical effect to the display of the origin screen, where thegraphical effect includes a translation aspect and a rotational aspect,where the input is applied near a central location of the viewing areaaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a visual transition provided by applying agraphical effect to the display of the origin screen, where thegraphical effect includes a translation aspect and a rotational aspect,where the input is applied near an upper location of the viewing areaaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a visual transition provided by applying agraphical effect to the display of the origin screen, where thegraphical effect includes a translation aspect and a rotational aspect,where the input is applied near a lower location of the viewing areaaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate flowcharts of methods of providing for visualtransitions from an origin screen to a destination screen according toanother example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms“data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be usedinterchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, receivedand/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit andscope of embodiments of the present invention.

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analogcircuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits andcomputer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmwareinstructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that worktogether to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functionsdescribed herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, amicroprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requiresoftware or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware isnot physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to alluses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example,as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementationcomprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof andaccompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a basebandintegrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for amobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellularnetwork device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers toa physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memorydevice), can be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmissionmedium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

As noted above, mobile terminals, including devices such as portabledigital assistants (PDAs) and cellular telephones, are becoming smallerin size to allow for greater portability to the user. With the decreasein size of such devices, however, comes a decrease in the spaceavailable for displaying information. In other words, the size of theviewing area through which interactive content (e.g., contacts, e-mailmessages, games, etc.) is presented to the user has become more limitedas a result of more compact devices.

In part to compensate for this decrease in the size of the viewing area,such devices may be provided with additional functionality to allow theuser to interact with and manipulate the displayed content. For example,a user may be able to zoom in on certain portions of the displayedcontent to read small print and may be able to pan (e.g., shift thedisplayed image in a particular direction) to view portions of thecontent that were previously outside the viewing area. In addition, theuser may be able to expand certain aspects of the displayed content,such as to view details regarding a particular displayed icon orindication, launch a program, or open a new window within the viewingarea.

The user's ability to manipulate the display and arrangement of content,however, may in some cases cause the user to forget the originalconfiguration of the displayed content and/or how the user arrived atthe current display configuration. For example, as a result of a touchinput received via a touch screen display to pan the displayed screen tothe left, the displayed screen may be shifted over to the extent that itappears to the user that a new screen has replaced the previouslydisplayed screen. Similarly, a touch input may be received to switchfrom displaying one program (e.g., an e-mail application) to anotherprogram (e.g., a music player), and as a result the screen correspondingto the first program (the e-mail application) may shifted out of theviewing area to be replaced by the new screen corresponding to thesecond program (the music player). Because the touch inputs forexecuting both scenarios may be similar, and because the transition fromone screen to the other in each scenario may have a similar visualappearance, the user may be confused as to whether the newly displayedscreen is part of the original content with which the user wasinteracting (e.g., part of the content that was previously outside theviewing area) or represents new interactive content (e.g., a differentprogram).

In addition, numerous screens may be available for access to the userfrom a particular origin screen. These available destination screens(e.g., screens to which the user can navigate from the origin screen)may in some cases provide interactive content related to the originscreen (e.g., by presenting information from the same program) or mayprovide different interactive content (e.g., by accessing a differentprogram or functionality of the device). The decrease in the size of theviewing area may further make it undesirable to provide icons, buttons,or other obstructing indications of the available destination screens tothe user, as such indications may overlay and prevent the user fromseeing the origin screen that is being displayed.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide fortransitions between screens that allow a user to select from multipledestination screens without necessarily obstructing the user's view ofthe origin screen with on-screen indications of the availabledestination screen. In addition, embodiments of the present inventionprovide for transitions between screens that indicate to the user thatthe user is “leaving” (e.g., transitioning away) from an origin screenand is “entering” (e.g., transitioning to) a destination screen.Embodiments of the present invention thus provide for a visualtransition from an origin screen to a destination screen based oncertain characteristics of the input received from the user. Forexample, upon receipt of an input such as a stroke gesture, theparticular destination screen to be displayed in the place of the originscreen may be determined from a number of possible destination screensbased on the position of the input and the direction of the stroke.Furthermore, a graphical effect applied to the origin screen totransition from the origin screen to the destination screen may be basedon the position of the input, such that the visual transition has adifferent appearance based on how the stroke was applied to the display,as explained in greater detail below.

Thus, a transition from the origin screen to a destination screen isdetermined based on characteristics of the input received (e.g., thetype of input received and/or how it is applied to the display) thatcreates for the user a visual transition from the origin screen to thedestination screen and that, in some cases, helps the user understandthat he or she is navigating from the display of a first interactivecontent to a display of a second, different interactive content (e.g.,rather than navigating between different portions of the sameinteractive content) and, in other cases, provides the user with easyaccess to various screens from a single origin screen withoutsignificantly affecting the user's view of the origin screen.

FIG. 1, which provides one example embodiment, illustrates a blockdiagram of a mobile terminal 10 that would benefit from embodiments ofthe present invention. It should be understood, however, that the mobileterminal 10 as illustrated and hereinafter described is merelyillustrative of one type of device that may benefit from embodiments ofthe present invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit thescope of embodiments of the present invention. As such, althoughnumerous types of mobile terminals, such as portable digital assistants(PDAs), mobile telephones, pagers, mobile televisions, gaming devices,laptop computers, cameras, tablet computers, touch surfaces, wearabledevices, video recorders, audio/video players, radios, electronic books,positioning devices (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) devices), orany combination of the aforementioned, and other types of voice and textcommunications systems, may readily employ embodiments of the presentinvention, other devices including fixed (non-mobile) electronic devicesmay also employ some example embodiments.

The mobile terminal 10 may include an antenna 12 (or multiple antennas)in operable communication with a transmitter 14 and a receiver 16. Themobile terminal 10 may further include an apparatus, such as a processor20 or other processing device (e.g., processor 70 of FIG. 2), whichcontrols the provision of signals to and the receipt of signals from thetransmitter 14 and receiver 16, respectively. The signals may include aproximity component and/or an orientation component, as described below.The signals may further include signaling information in accordance withthe air interface standard of the applicable cellular system, and alsouser speech, received data and/or user generated data. In this regard,the mobile terminal 10 is capable of operating with one or more airinterface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, andaccess types. By way of illustration, the mobile terminal 10 is capableof operating in accordance with any of a number of first, second, thirdand/or fourth-generation communication protocols or the like. Forexample, the mobile terminal 10 may be capable of operating inaccordance with second-generation (2G) wireless communication protocolsIS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)), GSM (global system formobile communication), and IS-95 (code division multiple access (CDMA)),or with third-generation (3G) wireless communication protocols, such asUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000, widebandCDMA (WCDMA) and time division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), with 3.9Gwireless communication protocol such as evolved UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (E-UTRAN), with fourth-generation (4G) wirelesscommunication protocols (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced(LTE-A) or the like. As an alternative (or additionally), the mobileterminal 10 may be capable of operating in accordance with non-cellularcommunication mechanisms. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may becapable of communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN) orother communication networks.

In some embodiments, the processor 20 may include circuitry desirablefor implementing audio and logic functions of the mobile terminal 10.For example, the processor 20 may be comprised of a digital signalprocessor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog to digitalconverters, digital to analog converters, and other support circuits.Control and signal processing functions of the mobile terminal 10 areallocated between these devices according to their respectivecapabilities. The processor 20 thus may also include the functionalityto convolutionally encode and interleave message and data prior tomodulation and transmission. The processor 20 may additionally includean internal voice coder, and may include an internal data modem.Further, the processor 20 may include functionality to operate one ormore software programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, theprocessor 20 may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such asa conventional Web browser. The connectivity program may then allow themobile terminal 10 to transmit and receive Web content, such aslocation-based content and/or other web page content, according to aWireless Application Protocol (WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)and/or the like, for example.

The mobile terminal 10 may also comprise a user interface including anoutput device such as a conventional earphone or speaker 24, a ringer22, a microphone 26, a display 28, and a user input interface, all ofwhich are coupled to the processor 20. The user input interface, whichallows the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, may include any of anumber of devices allowing the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, suchas a keypad 30, a touch screen display (display 28 providing an exampleof such a touch screen display) or other input device. In embodimentsincluding the keypad 30, the keypad 30 may include the conventionalnumeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other hard and soft keys usedfor operating the mobile terminal 10. Alternatively or additionally, thekeypad 30 may include a conventional QWERTY keypad arrangement. Thekeypad 30 may also include various soft keys with associated functions.In addition, or alternatively, the mobile terminal 10 may include aninterface device such as a joystick or other user input interface. Someembodiments employing a touch screen display, as described furtherbelow, may omit the keypad 30 and any or all of the speaker 24, ringer22, and microphone 26 entirely. The mobile terminal 10 further includesa battery 34, such as a vibrating battery pack, for powering variouscircuits that are required to operate the mobile terminal 10, as well asoptionally providing mechanical vibration as a detectable output.

The mobile terminal 10 may further include a user identity module (UIM)38. The UIM 38 is typically a memory device having a processor built in.The UIM 38 may include, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM),a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), a universal subscriberidentity module (USIM), a removable user identity module (R-UIM), etc.The UIM 38 typically stores information elements related to a mobilesubscriber. In addition to the UIM 38, the mobile terminal 10 may beequipped with memory. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may includevolatile memory 40, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM)including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The mobileterminal 10 may also include other non-volatile memory 42, which may beembedded and/or may be removable. The memories may store any of a numberof pieces of information, and data, used by the mobile terminal 10 toimplement the functions of the mobile terminal 10.

In some embodiments, the mobile terminal 10 may also include a camera orother media capturing element 32 in order to capture images or video ofobjects, people, and places proximate to the user of the mobile terminal10. The mobile terminal 10 (or even some other fixed terminal) may alsopractice example embodiments in connection with images or video content(among other types of content) that are produced or generated elsewhere,but are available for consumption at the mobile terminal 10 (or fixedterminal).

An example embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 2, in which certain elements of an apparatus 50 forproviding for transitions between screens. The apparatus 50 of FIG. 2may be employed, for example, in conjunction with the mobile terminal 10of FIG. 1. However, it should be noted that the apparatus 50 of FIG. 2may also be employed in connection with a variety of other devices, bothmobile and fixed, and therefore, embodiments of the present inventionshould not be limited to application on devices such as the mobileterminal 10 of FIG. 1. For example, the apparatus 50 may be employed ona personal computer, a tablet, a mobile telephone, or other userterminal. Moreover, in some cases, the apparatus 50 may be on a fixeddevice such as server or other service platform and the content may bepresented (e.g., via a server/client relationship) on a remote devicesuch as a user terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal 10) based onprocessing that occurs at the fixed device.

It should also be noted that while FIG. 2 illustrates one example of aconfiguration of an apparatus for providing for transitions betweenscreens, numerous other configurations may also be used to implementembodiments of the present invention. As such, in some embodiments,although devices or elements are shown as being in communication witheach other, hereinafter such devices or elements should be considered tobe capable of being embodied within a same device or element and, thus,devices or elements shown in communication should be understood toalternatively be portions of the same device or element.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the apparatus 50 for providing for transitionsbetween screens may include or otherwise be in communication with aprocessor 70, a user interface transceiver 72, a communication interface74, and a memory device 76. In some embodiments, the processor 70(and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting orotherwise associated with the processor 70) may be in communication withthe memory device 76 via a bus for passing information among componentsof the apparatus 50. The memory device 76 may include, for example, oneor more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, forexample, the memory device 76 may be an electronic storage device (e.g.,a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to storedata (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., acomputing device like the processor 70). The memory device 76 may beconfigured to store information, data, content, applications,instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry outvarious functions in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention. For example, the memory device 76 could be configuredto buffer input data for processing by the processor 70. Additionally oralternatively, the memory device 76 could be configured to storeinstructions for execution by the processor 70.

The apparatus 50 may, in some embodiments, be a mobile terminal (e.g.,mobile terminal 10) or a fixed communication device or computing deviceconfigured to employ an example embodiment of the present invention.However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 50 may be embodied as a chipor chip set. In other words, the apparatus 50 may comprise one or morephysical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/orwires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structuralassembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/orlimitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry includedthereon. The apparatus 50 may therefore, in some cases, be configured toimplement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or asa single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipsetmay constitute means for performing one or more operations for providingthe functionalities described herein.

The processor 70 may be embodied in a number of different ways. Forexample, the processor 70 may be embodied as one or more of varioushardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, acontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element withor without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitryincluding integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), amicrocontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purposecomputer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processor70 may include one or more processing cores configured to performindependently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing withina single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor70 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the busto enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and/ormultithreading.

In an example embodiment, the processor 70 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in the memory device 76 or otherwise accessible tothe processor 70. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 70 may beconfigured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whetherconfigured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof,the processor 70 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied incircuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodimentof the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, forexample, when the processor 70 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like,the processor 70 may be specifically configured hardware for conductingthe operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, whenthe processor 70 is embodied as an executor of software instructions,the instructions may specifically configure the processor 70 to performthe algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructionsare executed. However, in some cases, the processor 70 may be aprocessor of a specific device (e.g., a mobile terminal or networkdevice) adapted for employing an embodiment of the present invention byfurther configuration of the processor 70 by instructions for performingthe algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processor 70 mayinclude, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) andlogic gates configured to support operation of the processor 70.

Meanwhile, the communication interface 74 may be any means such as adevice or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination ofhardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit datafrom/to a network and/or any other device or module in communicationwith the apparatus 50. In this regard, the communication interface 74may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) andsupporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with awireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, thecommunication interface 74 may include the circuitry for interactingwith the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s)or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In someenvironments, the communication interface 74 may alternatively or alsosupport wired communication. As such, for example, the communicationinterface 74 may include a communication modem and/or otherhardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

The user interface transceiver 72 may be in communication with theprocessor 70 to receive an indication of a user input and/or to causeprovision of an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user.As such, the user interface transceiver 72 may include, for example, akeyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen(s), touchareas, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker, or other input/outputmechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 70 may compriseuser interface circuitry configured to control at least some functionsof one or more user interface elements such as, for example, a speaker,ringer, microphone, display, and/or the like. The processor 70 and/oruser interface circuitry comprising the processor 70 may be configuredto control one or more functions of one or more user interface elementsthrough computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware)stored on a memory accessible to the processor 70 (e.g., memory device76, and/or the like).

In an example embodiment, the apparatus 50 may include or otherwise bein communication with a touch screen display 68 (e.g., the display 28).In different example cases, the touch screen display 68 may be a twodimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D) display. The touch screendisplay 68 may be embodied as any known touch screen display. Thus, forexample, the touch screen display 68 could be configured to enable touchrecognition by any suitable technique, such as resistive, capacitive,infrared, strain gauge, surface wave, optical imaging, dispersive signaltechnology, acoustic pulse recognition, and/or other techniques. Theuser interface transceiver 72 may be in communication with the touchscreen display 68 to receive touch inputs at the touch screen display 68and to analyze and/or modify a response to such indications based oncorresponding user actions that may be inferred or otherwise determinedresponsive to the touch inputs.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in an example embodiment, theapparatus 50 may include a touch screen interface 80. The touch screeninterface 80 may, in some instances, be a portion of the user interfacetransceiver 72. However, in some alternative embodiments, the touchscreen interface 80 may be embodied as the processor 70 or may be aseparate entity controlled by the processor 70. As such, in someembodiments, the processor 70 may be said to cause, direct or controlthe execution or occurrence of the various functions attributed to thetouch screen interface 80 (and any components of the touch screeninterface 80) as described herein. The touch screen interface 80 may beany means such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance withsoftware or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardwareand software (e.g., processor 70 operating under software control, theprocessor 70 embodied as an ASIC or FPGA specifically configured toperform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof)thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the correspondingfunctions of the touch screen interface 80 as described herein. Thus, inexamples in which software is employed, a device or circuitry (e.g., theprocessor 70 in one example) executing the software forms the structureassociated with such means.

The touch screen interface 80 may be configured to receive an input inthe form of a touch event at the touch screen display 68. As such, thetouch screen interface 80 may be in communication with the touch screendisplay 68 to receive user inputs at the touch screen display 68 and tomodify a response to such inputs based on corresponding user actionsthat may be inferred or otherwise determined responsive to the inputs.Following recognition of a touch event, the touch screen interface 80may be configured to determine a classification of the touch event andprovide a corresponding function based on the touch event in somesituations.

In some embodiments, the touch screen interface 80 may include adetector 82, a display manager 84, and a gesture classifier 86. Each ofthe detector 82, the display manager 84, and the gesture classifier 86may be any device or means embodied in either hardware or a combinationof hardware and software configured to perform the correspondingfunctions associated with the detector 82, the display manager 84, andthe gesture classifier 86, respectively, as described herein. In anexemplary embodiment, each of the detector 82, the display manager 84,and the gesture classifier 86 may be controlled by or otherwise embodiedas the processor 70.

The detector 82 may be in communication with the touch screen display 68to receive user inputs in order to recognize and/or determine a touchevent based on each input received at the detector 82. A touch event maybe defined as a detection of an object, such as a stylus, finger, pen,pencil, cellular telephone, digital camera, or any other mobile device(including the mobile terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1) or object, cominginto contact with a portion of the touch screen display in a mannersufficient to register as a touch. In this regard, for example, a touchevent could be a detection of pressure on the screen of the touch screendisplay 68 above a particular pressure threshold over a given area.Subsequent to each touch event, the detector 82 may be furtherconfigured to pass along the data corresponding to the touch event(e.g., location of touch, length of touch, number of objects touching,touch pressure, touch area, speed of movement, direction of movement,length of delay, frequency of touch, etc.) to the gesture classifier 86for gesture classification. As such, the detector 82 may include or bein communication with one or more force sensors configured to measurethe amount of touch pressure (e.g., force over a given area) applied asa result of a touch event, as an example.

The gesture classifier 86 may be configured to recognize and/ordetermine a corresponding classification of a touch event. In otherwords, the gesture classifier 86 may be configured to perform gestureclassification to classify the touch event as any of a number ofpossible gestures. Some examples of recognizable gestures may include atouch, multi-touch, stroke, character, symbol, shape, pinch event (e.g.,a pinch in or pinch out), and/or the like.

A touch may be defined as a touch event that impacts a single area(without or with minimal movement on the surface of the touch screendisplay 68) and then is removed. A multi-touch may be defined asmultiple touch events sensed concurrently (or nearly concurrently). Astroke may be defined as a touch event followed immediately by motion ofthe object initiating the touch event while the object remains incontact with the touch screen display 68. In other words, the stroke maybe defined by motion following a touch event thereby forming acontinuous, moving touch event defining a moving series of instantaneoustouch positions (e.g., as a drag operation or as a flick operation). Assuch, a stroke 100 (shown in FIG. 3) may include a contact component A(e.g., initial contact with the touch screen display 68), a movementcomponent (e.g., motion of the object contacting the touch screendisplay while the object remains in contact, represented by the arrow100), with the direction of the movement component being the directionof motion of the object across the touch screen display. In some cases,the direction may be a nominal direction that is not identical to thedirection of the movement component (e.g., a direction that is not theactual or instantaneous direction of the movement of the object acrossthe touch screen display 68), as shown in FIG. 3 via the dashed arrow105. Multiple strokes and/or touches may be used to define a particularshape or sequence of shapes to define a character or symbol.

A pinch event may be classified as either a pinch out or a pinch in(hereinafter referred to simply as a pinch). A pinch may be defined as amulti-touch, where the touch events causing the multi-touch are spacedapart. After initial occurrence of the multi-touch event involving atleast two objects, one or more of the objects may move substantiallytoward each other to simulate a pinch. Meanwhile, a pinch out may bedefined as a multi-touch, where the touch events causing the multi-touchare relatively close together, followed by movement of the objectsinitiating the multi-touch substantially away from each other. In somecases, the objects on a pinch out may be so close together initiallythat they may be interpreted as a single touch, rather than amulti-touch, which then is modified by movement of two objects away fromeach other.

The gesture classifier 86 may also be configured to communicatedetection information regarding the recognition, detection, and/orclassification of a touch event to the display manager 84. The displaymanager 84 may be configured to provide control over modifications madeto that which is displayed on the touch screen display 68 based on thedetection information received from the detector 82 and gestureclassifications provided by the gesture classifier 86 in accordance withthe responses prescribed for each respective gesture classification andimplementation characteristic determined by the gesture classifier 86.In other words, the display manager 84 may configure the display (e.g.,with respect to the content displayed and/or the user interface effectspresented relative to the content displayed) according to the gestureclassification and implementation characteristic classificationdetermined for a given touch event that may be detected at the display.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-8, in general, an apparatus 50 is provided, suchas an apparatus embodied by the mobile terminal 10 of FIG. 1 (e.g., acellular phone) that has or is otherwise associated with a touch screendisplay 68. As described above, the apparatus 50 may comprise at leastone processor (e.g., processor 70 of FIG. 2) and at least one memory(e.g., memory device 76 of FIG. 2) including computer program code. Theat least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus 50 to at least provide fordisplay of an origin screen 200. The origin screen 200 may, for example,represent a first interactive content, such as a home screen, a lockscreen, or a screen associated with a particular program. The apparatusmay be further caused to receive an input from a user comprising amovement component, such as a stroke 100 (FIG. 3). Although theembodiments depicted in the figures and used in the examples hereinrefer to a touch screen display 68 configured to receive touch inputs,the inputs may be provided to a non-touch display and/or via non-touchuser input devices, such as a keypad or mouse. In this regard, theposition of the non-touch input may refer to the location on thenon-touch display corresponding to the location the input is applied(e.g., the position of an indicator, such as a mouse pointer), and themovement component of the input may be the motion of the indicator onthe non-touch display, which, for example, is the result of acorresponding motion of a mouse on a horizontal surface, with thedirection of the movement component being the direction of motion of theindicator across the non-touch display.

A destination screen 300 may be determined for display from among aplurality of screens based on a position of the input and a direction ofthe movement component of the input. The apparatus may then be caused toprovide for a visual transition from the origin screen 200 to thedestination screen. In this regard, the terms “origin” and “destination”are not necessarily used to identify a screen providing particularcontent. Rather, the term “origin” refers to any screen that the user iscurrently viewing, and the term “destination” refers to any of a numberof screens that the user wishes to display (e.g., a new screen), whichmay, for example, take the place of the origin screen. Thus, aparticular screen, such as a listing of contacts in a phone program, maybe considered the origin screen in one scenario in which the user isviewing the contact list screen, and the detailed summary of one of thecontacts that the user wishes to display by selecting a particularcontact may be considered a destination screen. Once the user hasnavigated to the detailed summary of the selected contact, however, thedetailed summary screen may be considered the origin screen, and thecontact list screen that the user may wish to return to may, in thiscase, be considered the destination screen. Thus, the designation of ascreen as an origin screen or a destination screen depends on theparticular user scenario.

Accordingly, the apparatus 50 is configured to determine whichdestination screen to display to the user based on where the input isreceived on the display and the direction of the movement component ofthe input (e.g., a stroke from right to left versus a stroke from leftto right). The origin screen 200 may, for example, define at least afirst area 210 and a second area 220. The first area 210 may beassociated with a first screen for display (e.g., one particulardestination screen), whereas the second area 220 may be associated witha second screen for display (e.g., a different destination screen). Thefirst area 210 may be, for example, an area within a certain distancefrom a top edge 215 of the viewing area 120 of the display, and thesecond area 220 may be an area within a certain distance from a bottomedge 225 of the viewing area. In other cases, however, the first andsecond areas 210, 220 may be areas proximate the left and right sideedges of the display, or they may be areas closer to the center of theorigin screen. The first and second areas 210, 220 may, in some cases,be limited in size (e.g., approximately 2-4 mm wide), whereas in othercases the first and second areas may extend from a respective edge ofthe viewing area 120 up to almost the center of the viewing area, suchthat, for example, almost the entire top half of the viewing area wouldbe considered the first area and almost the entire bottom half of theviewing area would be considered the second area.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may thus beconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine afirst screen 300′ for display based on the position of the input 150being within the first area 210 and to determine a second screen 305 fordisplay based on the position of the input being within the second area220. For example, in FIG. 4A, in which the origin screen 200 (e.g., anidle screen) is displayed, a stroke 150 from left to right received inthe first area 210 may cause the first screen 300 (e.g., a ContactsList) to be displayed in FIG. 4B. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, however, a strokefrom left to right received in the second area 220 may cause the secondscreen 305 (e.g., details for a particular contact, such as the lastaccessed contact) to be displayed (FIG. 6B).

In some embodiments, a particular direction of the movement component(e.g., a particular nominal direct such as right to left, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 6A) may be considered as invoking the destination screen,whereas a different direction of the movement component (e.g., left toright) may be disregarded or not considered input for the purposes ofinvoking the destination screen. In other embodiments, however, such asshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be further configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to determine a first screen 300 for display based on thedirection of the movement component being a first direction and todetermine a second screen (e.g., a home screen 308) for display based onthe direction of the movement component being a second, differentdirection, as shown in FIG. 5A. Thus, in this example, whereas movementof the user input from left to right in the first depicted scenario(FIG. 4A) may cause the apparatus to display a list of contacts (FIG.4B), movement of the user input from right to left in the scenario shownin FIG. 5A may cause the apparatus to display a home screen (FIG. 6B).

Thus, in some cases, multiple destination screens may be invokable bythe user based on the position of the input and the direction of themovement component. Considering the example of FIGS. 4A-6B, in which theorigin screen defines at least a first area 210 and a second area 220,the at least one memory and the computer program code may be furtherconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine afirst screen 300′ for display based on the direction of the movementcomponent being a first direction and based on the position of the input150 being within the first area (FIGS. 4A and 4B). The apparatus maylikewise be caused to determine a second screen (in this example, screen308) for display based on the direction of the movement component beinga second direction and based on the position of the input 150 beingwithin the first area (FIGS. 5A and 5B). In some cases, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the third screen (in this example, screen 305) fordisplay may be determined based on the position of the input beingwithin the second area (e.g., irrespective of the direction of theinput, as long as the input has a movement component and is thereforeassociated with a direction). In still other cases, however, additionaldestination screens may be accessed by associating each area (e.g.,first and second areas 210, 220 and/or third and fourth areas, notshown) with multiple destination screens based on the direction of themovement component of the input (e.g., left to right, right to left, topto bottom, diagonally up and to the right, etc.). The number ofdestination screens and the combination of position and direction of themovement component of the input that may be used to access each screenmay be determined keeping user preferences and the general ease of useof the apparatus in mind, e.g., to avoid complicating functions orconfusing the user and to minimize having the user access destinationscreens in error.

In FIGS. 4A-6B, the first and second areas 210, 220 are shown in dashedlines for ease of explanation; however, the user may not have anyindication in these scenarios of the location and/or extent of the firstand second areas. In other embodiments, though, the at least one memoryand the computer program code may be further configured to, with theprocessor, cause the apparatus to provide an indication on the originscreen 200 of an association of the first area 210 with the first screen300 and an association of the second area 220 with a second screen(e.g., screens 305 or 308), respectively. For example, referring to FIG.7, a first indication 160 may be provided in the first area 210, such asin the form of a thin bar proximate the top edge 215 of the viewing area120, while a second indication 170 may be provided in the second area220, such as in the form of a different, thin bar proximate the bottomedge 225 of the viewing area 120. Thus, an input received within acertain proximity (e.g., a predetermined distance) of the respectiveindication may cause the associated screen to be invoked. In this way,the user may have some visual indication of the locations in which theinput should be received, while at the same time the user's view of theorigin screen may not be unduly affected. Other indications may beprovided instead of the thin bars depicted in FIG. 7, such as adifferent coloring of the origin screen (such as a color gradient or anopacity that is applied at or in a portion of the respective areas).

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer programcode may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus todetermine the destination screen 300 for display based on an initialcontact position of the input 150. With reference to FIG. 8, forexample, a user's input gesture, e.g., in the form of a stroke 150, maynot necessarily be horizontally applied with respect to the viewing area120. The user may make initial contact with the touch screen display atposition A, may move his or her finger from position A to position Balong the line shown, and may break contact with the display at positionB. The initial contact position A may, in some cases, be slightly belowor slightly above (as shown) the terminal contact position B, and insome instances the stroke gesture 150 may move outside the first area210, for example, in the process of going from point A to point B. Thus,as noted above, the apparatus in some embodiments may be configured todetermine the destination screen 300 for display based on the initialcontact position A of the input 150. In other words, even if theterminal contact position B is outside the first area 210 for receivinginput (as shown in FIG. 8), the associated destination screen 300 maynonetheless be invoked because the initial contact position A was withinthe first area. In other cases, however, the entire input 150 must bereceived within the first area so as to invoke the associated screen.

As noted above and described through the examples, in some cases theorigin screen may represent a first interactive content, and thedestination screen may represent a second interactive content. As usedherein, the term “interactive content” refers to information presentedto the user via the display 68 (FIG. 2) or the display 28 (FIG. 1),either graphical (such as using icons, photos, illustrations, etc.) ortextual, with which the user may interact in a particular way for aparticular purpose. For example, as shown in the examples depicted inFIGS. 4A, 5A, and 6A, the first interactive content may includeinformation that is presented to the user as part of an idle screen,such as the current time, the day of the week, the date, and abackground image. The first interactive content may be configured suchthat the user can only interact with the content in a very limitedmanner, such as by shifting the content over to one side to change thestate of the apparatus from idle to active (e.g. to access a destinationscreen). Thus, the purpose of the first interactive content may be toprovide certain information to the user (e.g., providing time and dateinformation to the user) and to guard against the accidental entry ofuser input, such as through the user's incidental and unintentionalcontact with the display 68.

Continuing this example, the second interactive content (shown in FIGS.4B, 5B, and 6B) may include data such as a contact list (FIG. 4B);summary of recent activities undertaken by the user via the device(e.g., music played or available), the current weather, recent phonecalls, and/or a list of programs that may be launched by the user (FIG.5B); or details pertaining to a particular contact (FIG. 6B). The secondinteractive content may be configured such that the user can more fullyinteract with the content, such as by selecting an icon to launch aprogram, expanding a displayed item to access details or furtherinformation, modify device settings, etc. Thus, the purpose of thesecond interactive content in this case may be to receive input from theuser and to execute certain operations based on the input received.

Accordingly, in some cases, the first interactive content may comprisedifferent information than the second interactive content. The secondinteractive content may, for example, include additional information ascompared to the first interactive content, such as icons 310 forlaunching a program to play music, an indication of battery life 320,and an indication of the current weather 330 (as depicted in FIG. 5B).

Alternatively or additionally, the first interactive content may beconfigured to allow the user to interact with the first interactivecontent according to a first set of rules, and the second interactivecontent may be configured to allow the user to interact with the secondinteractive content according to a second set of rules. With referenceto FIG. 4A, for example, the origin screen 200 may be configured suchthat only a stroke touch event received in a first or second area 210,220 that includes a movement component having a particular direction isregistered as an input that causes a certain destination screen to beaccessed and displayed. Other inputs that do not satisfy these criteria,such as a simple touch, multi-touch, pinch, tap, press, or long press(among others) would not be recognized as inputs and would bedisregarded by the apparatus. Similarly, the destination screen 300(FIG. 4B) may be configured such that only touch events received atcertain locations (e.g., corresponding to the location of a particularcontact's name) of the touch screen display are registered as inputs.Moreover, the operation executed upon receipt of the input may depend onthe location at which the touch event is received (which contact tocall). Thus, a touch event in a blank area of the screen, for example,may not cause any operation to be executed.

In other cases, however, a destination screen may be accessed that doesnot contain different interactive content with respect to the originscreen. For example, a user transitioning between the screen 300 shownin FIG. 4B and the screen 305 shown in FIG. 6B would be going from anorigin screen display a first interactive content to a destinationscreen displaying content related to the first interactive content, inthat the content from both screens was generated by, for example, thesame program (e.g., a contacts application).

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the origin screen may be a lock screen(e.g., shown in FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 6A), and the at least one memory andthe computer program code may be further configured to, with theprocessor, cause the apparatus to unlock the screen upon receipt of theinput based on at least one of the position of the input and thedirection of the movement component of the input. For example, as shownin FIG. 9A, the origin screen 200 may be a lock screen, and the originscreen may define a single user input area 230 for receiving input 150.In some cases, the apparatus may only be caused to unlock the screenupon receipt of the input 150 based on the position of the input beingwithin the user input area 230 (e.g., proximate the bottom edge of theviewing area 120) and based on the direction of the movement componentof the input being from right to left, as shown. All other inputreceived via the lock screen may be disregarded, and the screen mayremain locked until the proper input is received.

As described above and depicted in the figures, the particulararrangement and presentation of interactive content (whether the same ordifferent interactive content) is described herein as being provided via“screens” that are displayed to the user upon the display 68 of theapparatus. In other words, each screen presents to the user a collectionof content elements that make up the respective interactive content. InFIG. 4A, for example, the displayed time (10:49) is a content element ofthe first screen 200 and is part of the first interactive content.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may provide for a visual transitionfrom the origin screen to the destination screen by applying a graphicaleffect to the origin screen (e.g., in response to receipt of a user'stouch input to a particular area of the screen) and, as a result,applying the graphical effect to all of the interactive contentrepresented on the respective screen. Thus, for example, panning of ascreen to the left via a stroke touch event may serve to shift all ofthe first interactive content displayed on the respective screen to theleft, including content that may not have been directly contacted by theuser's touch input (stroke).

Referring now to FIG. 10A-12C, an apparatus 50 may be providedcomprising at least one processor and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at leastprovide for display of an origin screen 200 within a viewing area 120,where the origin screen represents a first interactive content and wherethe origin screen defines a reference point R (identified forexplanation purposes in the figures as a solid “+”). The apparatus maybe further caused to receive an input from a user comprising a movementcomponent, such as a stroke 150 as described above. In response to theinput, the apparatus may be caused to provide for a visual transitionfrom the origin screen 200 to a destination screen 300 representing asecond, different interactive content by applying a graphical effect tothe display of the origin screen.

The graphical effect may comprise a translation aspect 250 (shown inFIGS. 10B and 10C) so as to cause the origin screen 200 to move along anaxis H with respect to the viewing area 120. For example, thetranslation aspect 250 may comprise a translation of the reference pointR across the viewing area as the visual transition occurs, illustratedby a horizontal distance d traversed by the reference point R from theoriginal location of the reference point (shown as an outlined “+”) tothe instantaneous location of the reference point. The graphical effectmay further comprise a rotational aspect 255 so as to cause the originscreen 200 to rotate about the reference point R, shown in FIG. 10B. Inthis way, the graphical effect may simulate a physical response of theorigin screen to the input based on at least one of a position of theinput 150 with respect to the reference point R, a speed of the movementcomponent of the input, and a direction of the movement component of theinput. In other words, the graphical effect may treat the origin screen200 as a physical object having a particular mass and with a surfacehaving a particular coefficient of friction that is physically placed ontop of the destination screen 300 (e.g., similar to a playing card or asheet of paper). Characteristics of the input 150 received (e.g.,position, speed, direction) may be used (e.g., as variables in analgorithm modeling how the physical object would react) to determine themovement of the origin screen 200 across the viewing area 120 inresponse to the input if the origin screen 200 was a physical object andthe input was a physical input applied to the object. The graphicaleffect may thus simulate the behavior of the origin screen 200 under the“force” of the input, similar to would occur in the physical world.

Thus, an input 150 received near the center of the origin screen 200 andabove the reference point R, as shown in FIG. 10A, may result in avisual transition as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10E. An input receivednear an upper part of the origin screen 200 may result in the samevisual transition (shown in FIGS. 11A-11C) or a different visualtransition (e.g., having a larger angle of rotation), and an inputreceived below the reference point R (shown in FIGS. 12A-12C) mayrotated the origin screen 200 in a direction opposite that shown inFIGS. 10A-11C.

Depending on the particular algorithms or equations used to model theeffect of a physical input to a physical representation of the originscreen, as well as the constants and coefficients chosen, the graphicaleffect may be configured to provide for different visual transitionsfrom the origin screen 200 to the destination screen 300. For example,the translation aspect 250 of the graphical effect may comprise movementalong the axis H in a direction that is substantially the same as adirection of the movement component of the input 150. In FIGS. 10A-12C,for example, the direction of the movement component is generally fromright to left, and the translation aspect 250 of the graphical effect isgenerally from right to left. In other embodiments, however, the input150 may be applied diagonally (e.g., upper right to lower left), and theorigin screen 200 may be translated along a similar direction as aresult. In yet other embodiments, the input 150 may be applied from topto bottom with respect to the viewing area 120, and the translationaspect of the graphical effect may be in a direction general from top tobottom, as well.

In some cases, the translation aspect 250 of the graphical effect may beproportional to the movement component of the input. Thus, as the userapplies a stroke gesture 150 to the touch screen display, the originscreen 200 may be translated at a speed that is proportional to thespeed at which the input was applied by the user. Moreover, the usermay, in some cases, reverse the visual transition by reversing thedirection of the stroke gesture if the stroke gesture has not yet beencompleted (e.g., the user's finger is still contacting the touch screendisplay). Thus, the translation (and/or rotation) of the origin screen200 may likewise be reversed, moving the origin screen back to itsoriginal position with respect to the viewing area 120, at a speed thatis proportional to the speed of the reverse stroke gesture. In othercases, however, the graphical effect may be automatically applied to theorigin screen 200 upon receipt of at least a portion of the strokegesture (e.g., may not be controllable by the user), such that thestroke gesture in this example could not be reversed once initiated.

The rotational aspect 255 of the graphical effect may, in someembodiments, define an angle of rotation α, shown in FIG. 10D, forexample. The at least one memory and the computer program code may befurther configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus todetermine the angle of rotation α based at least in part on an initialposition P of receipt of the input with respect to the reference pointR. For example, with reference to FIG. 10A, the input 150 may have aninitial point of contact P defined with respect to the reference point Rby a horizontal distance x and a vertical distance y. The x and ydistances may be used (e.g., as inputs to an algorithm) to determine theangle of rotation α of the origin screen 200. Thus, the angle ofrotation α of the origin screen 200 may be pre-set based on the initialpoint of contact P, regardless of the subsequent path of the stroke 150received.

In other cases, however, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be further configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to determine the angle of rotation α based at least in part onan instantaneous position of receipt of the input 150 with respect tothe reference point R. Accordingly, the angle of rotation α may vary asthe instantaneous position of the receipt of the input 150 varies. Forexample, if the user's input is initially received at the location Pshown in FIG. 10A, the angle of rotation α may initially have one value,but the value may be adjusted up or down based on the path of the user'sinput (e.g., generally horizontal, as shown in FIG. 10A, or somethingother than horizontal, as shown in FIG. 8). By responding to theinstantaneous position of the user's input 150, the apparatus may applya graphical effect that more closely resembles the reaction of theorigin screen 200 as a physical object.

In still other embodiments, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be further configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to determine the angle of rotation α based at least in part ona speed of the movement component of the input. For example, an input150 illustrated in FIG. 10A that involves a contact component with aduration of 1 second (e.g., the user's finger maintains contact with thescreen from the initial point of contact to release for 1 second) mayresult in a greater angle of rotation α than an input having identicalpoints of contact but involving a touch component with a duration of 3seconds. This type of time-dependent response may, for example, simulatea rotational acceleration that would be imparted on the origin screen200 as a physical object by a “faster” applied force.

Moreover, the translation and rotation aspects 250, 255 may be appliedsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously, consecutively, or usingsome combination of simultaneously and consecutively. For example, uponreceipt of the input 150, both the translation and rotational aspects250, 255 of the graphical effect may be applied up until the originscreen 200 has been rotated through a maximum angle of rotation, such asthe angle of rotation α described above (e.g., from FIG. 10A to FIG.10D). At that point, the rotational aspect 255 of the graphical effectmay cease, and only the translation aspect 250 may continue until theorigin screen 200 has been moved outside of the viewing area 120 toreveal the destination screen 300. In other cases, the rotational aspect255 may be applied first until the angle of rotation α has beenachieved, and then the translation aspect 250 may be applied. In stillother cases, both the translation aspect 250 and the rotational aspect255 may be applied at substantially the same time, such that the originscreen 200 is both rotating and translating from the time the input 150is received until the origin screen has been moved outside the viewingarea 120.

Although the reference point R in FIGS. 10A-12C is shown as being in acentral location of the origin screen 200, the apparatus may beconfigured such that the reference point is located elsewhere on theorigin screen, such as the center of the bottom edge of the originscreen, the bottom left corner, the bottom right corner, etc. Regardlessof the location of the reference point R or the particular algorithmicmodel or constants/coefficients used, the graphical effect may beconfigured to simulate a physical property of the origin screen 200,such that the origin screen appears to react to the input in the sameway that a physical object would react. In this way, the user may bemore likely to understand the visual transition from the origin screen200 to the destination screen 300 is a transition between two distinctscreens, e.g., screens comprising different interactive content asdescribed above. Moreover, because the screen simulates a reactionsimilar to that of a physical object in response to the user's input,the user may be more likely to remember the input so as to transitionbetween screens when necessary, as the visual transition provided can berelated in the user's mind to a transition between physical objects(e.g., playing cards) in the real world. Thus the amount of time a usermust expend to learn the input may be decreased.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate flowcharts of systems, methods, and computerprogram products according to example embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such ashardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other devicesassociated with execution of software including one or more computerprogram instructions. For example, one or more of the proceduresdescribed above may be embodied by computer program instructions. Inthis regard, the computer program instructions which embody theprocedures described above may be stored by a memory device of anapparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executedby a processor in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any suchcomputer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such thatthe resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements thefunctions specified in the flowchart block(s). These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that maydirect a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the executionof which implements the function specified in the flowchart block(s).The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to beperformed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce acomputer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means forperforming the specified functions, combinations of operations forperforming the specified functions, and program instruction means forperforming the specified functions. It will also be understood that oneor more blocks of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computersystems which perform the specified functions, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In this regard, one embodiment of a method for providing transitionsbetween screens, as shown in FIG. 13, includes providing for display ofan origin screen at Block 400, receiving an input from a user comprisinga movement component at Block 410, determining a destination screen fordisplay from a plurality of screens based on a position of the input anda direction of the movement component of the input at Block 420, andproviding for a visual transition from the origin screen to thedestination screen at Block 430. In some cases, the origin screen maydefine at least a first area and a second area, as described above. Afirst screen may be determined for display as the destination screenbased on the position of the input being within the first area, and asecond screen may be determined for display based on the position of theinput being within the second area, at Block 440. An indication may beprovided on the origin screen of an association of the first area withthe first screen and an association of the second area with the secondscreen, respectively, at Block 450. In other cases, determining thedestination screen at Block 420 may comprise determining a first screenfor display based on the direction of the movement component being afirst direction and determining a second screen for display based on thedirection of the movement component being a second, different directionat Block 460.

In some embodiments, the origin screen may define at least a first areaand a second area, as described above, and determining the destinationscreen may comprise determining a first screen for display based on thedirection of the movement component being a first direction and based onthe position of the input being within the first area; determining asecond screen for display based on the direction of the movementcomponent being a second direction and based on the position of theinput being within the first area; and determining a third screen fordisplay based on the position of the input being within the second area.Moreover, the destination screen for display may be determined based onan initial contact position of the input, as described above.

In some cases, determining the destination screen for display maycomprise determining the destination screen for display based on aninitial contact position of the input. The origin screen may, forexample, represent a first interactive content, and the destinationscreen may represent a second interactive content. The origin screenmay, for example, be a lock screen, and determining the destinationscreen may comprise unlocking the lock screen upon receipt of the inputbased on at least one of the position of the input and the direction ofthe movement component.

Turning now to FIG. 14, another embodiment of a method for providingtransitions between screens is shown, which includes providing fordisplay of an origin screen within a viewing area at Block 500, wherethe origin screen represents a first interactive content and where theorigin screen defines a reference point. Input may be received from auser at Block 510 comprising a movement component, and a visualtransition from the origin screen to a destination screen representing asecond, different interactive content may be provided for in response tothe input by applying a graphical effect to the display of the originscreen at Block 520. The graphical effect may comprise a translationaspect so as to cause the origin screen to move along an axis withrespect to the viewing area, and the graphical effect further comprisesa rotational aspect so as to cause the origin screen to rotate about thereference point. Thus, the graphical effect may simulate a physicalresponse of the origin screen to the input based on at least one of aposition of the input with respect to the reference point, a speed ofthe movement component of the input, and a direction of the movementcomponent of the input, as described above.

In some cases, the translation aspect of the graphical effect maycomprise movement along the axis in a direction that is substantiallythe same as a direction of the movement component of the input. Thetranslation aspect of the graphical effect may, in addition oralternatively, be proportional to the movement component of the input.

In some embodiments, the rotational aspect of the graphical effect maydefine an angle of rotation, and the angle of rotation may be determinedbased at least in part on a position of receipt of the input withrespect to the reference point at Block 530. For example, the angle ofrotation may be determined based at least in part on an initial positionof receipt of the input with respect to the reference point, or theangle of rotation may be determined based at least in part on aninstantaneous position of receipt of the input with respect to thereference point such that the angle of rotation varies as theinstantaneous position of the receipt of the input varies. In othercases, the angle of rotation may be determined based at least in part ona speed of the movement component of the input at Block 540.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may bemodified or further amplified as described below. Furthermore, in someembodiments, additional optional operations may be included, someexamples of which are shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 13 and 14.Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above maybe performed in any order and in any combination.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for performing the methods ofFIGS. 13 and 14 above may comprise a processor (e.g., the processor 70of FIG. 2) configured to perform some or each of the operations(400-540) described above. The processor may, for example, be configuredto perform the operations (400-540) by performing hardware implementedlogical functions, executing stored instructions, or executingalgorithms for performing each of the operations. Alternatively, theapparatus may comprise means for performing each of the operationsdescribed above. In this regard, according to an example embodiment,examples of means for performing at least portions of operations 400,420, 440-460, 500, 530, and 540 may comprise, for example, the userinterface transceiver 72, the communication interface 74, the processor70, the memory device 76, and/or a device or circuit for executinginstructions or executing an algorithm for processing information asdescribed above. Examples of means for performing operations 410 and 510may comprise, for example, the user interface transceiver 72, theprocessor 70, the memory device 76, and/or a device or circuit forexecuting instructions or executing an algorithm for processinginformation as described above. Examples of means for performingoperations 430 and 520 may comprise, for example, the user interfacetransceiver 72, the processor 70, and/or a device or circuit forexecuting instructions or executing an algorithm for processinginformation as described above.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain examplecombinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated thatdifferent combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided byalternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appendedclaims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elementsand/or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processorand at least one memory including computer program code, the at leastone memory and the computer program code configured to, with theprocessor, cause the apparatus to at least: provide for display of anorigin screen within a viewing area, wherein the origin screenrepresents a first interactive content, wherein the origin screendefines a reference point; receive an input from a user comprising amovement component; and provide for a visual transition from the originscreen to a destination screen representing a second, differentinteractive content in response to the input by applying a graphicaleffect to the display of the origin screen, wherein the graphical effectcomprises a translation aspect so as to cause the origin screen to movealong an axis with respect to the viewing area, and wherein thegraphical effect further comprises a rotational aspect so as to causethe origin screen to rotate about the reference point.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the translation aspect of the graphical effectcomprises movement along the axis in a direction that is substantiallythe same as a direction of the movement component of the input.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotational aspect of the graphicaleffect defines an angle of rotation, wherein the at least one memory andthe computer program code are further configured to, with the processor,cause the apparatus to determine the angle of rotation based at least inpart on an initial position of receipt of the input with respect to thereference point.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotationalaspect of the graphical effect defines an angle of rotation, wherein theat least one memory and the computer program code are further configuredto, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the angle ofrotation based at least in part on an instantaneous position of receiptof the input with respect to the reference point, such that the angle ofrotation varies as the instantaneous position of the receipt of theinput varies.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotational aspectof the graphical effect defines an angle of rotation, wherein the atleast one memory and the computer program code are further configuredto, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the angle ofrotation based at least in part on a speed of the movement component ofthe input.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translation aspectof the graphical effect is proportional to the movement component of theinput.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphical effectsimulates a physical response of the origin screen to the input based onat least one of a position of the input with respect to the referencepoint, a speed of the movement component of the input, and a directionof the movement component of the input.
 8. A method comprising:providing for display of an origin screen within a viewing area, whereinthe origin screen represents a first interactive content, wherein theorigin screen defines a reference point; receiving an input from a usercomprising a movement component; and providing for a visual transitionfrom the origin screen to a destination screen representing a second,different interactive content in response to the input by applying agraphical effect to the display of the origin screen, wherein thegraphical effect comprises a translation aspect so as to cause theorigin screen to move along an axis with respect to the viewing area,and wherein the graphical effect further comprises a rotational aspectso as to cause the origin screen to rotate about the reference point. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the translation aspect of the graphicaleffect comprises movement along the axis in a direction that issubstantially the same as a direction of the movement component of theinput.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the rotational aspect of thegraphical effect defines an angle of rotation, wherein providing for avisual transition comprises determining the angle of rotation based atleast in part on an initial position of receipt of the input withrespect to the reference point.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein therotational aspect of the graphical effect defines an angle of rotation,wherein providing for a visual transition comprises determining theangle of rotation based at least in part on an instantaneous position ofreceipt of the input with respect to the reference point, such that theangle of rotation varies as the instantaneous position of the receipt ofthe input varies.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the rotationalaspect of the graphical effect defines an angle of rotation, whereinproviding for a visual transition comprises determining the angle ofrotation based at least in part on a speed of the movement component ofthe input.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the translation aspect ofthe graphical effect is proportional to the movement component of theinput.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical effect simulatesa physical response of the origin screen to the input based on at leastone of a position of the input with respect to the reference point, aspeed of the movement component of the input, and a direction of themovement component of the input.
 15. A computer program productcomprising at least one computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions for: providing for display of an origin screen within aviewing area, wherein the origin screen represents a first interactivecontent, wherein the origin screen defines a reference point; receivingan input from a user comprising a movement component; and providing fora visual transition from the origin screen to a destination screenrepresenting a second, different interactive content in response to theinput by applying a graphical effect to the display of the originscreen, wherein the graphical effect comprises a translation aspect soas to cause the origin screen to move along an axis with respect to theviewing area, and wherein the graphical effect further comprises arotational aspect so as to cause the origin screen to rotate about thereference point.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe translation aspect of the graphical effect comprises movement alongthe axis in a direction that is substantially the same as a direction ofthe movement component of the input.
 17. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein the rotational aspect of the graphical effect definesan angle of rotation, wherein providing for a visual transitioncomprises determining the angle of rotation based at least in part on aninitial position of receipt of the input with respect to the referencepoint.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein therotational aspect of the graphical effect defines an angle of rotation,wherein providing for a visual transition comprises determining theangle of rotation based at least in part on an instantaneous position ofreceipt of the input with respect to the reference point, such that theangle of rotation varies as the instantaneous position of the receipt ofthe input varies.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe rotational aspect of the graphical effect defines an angle ofrotation, wherein providing for a visual transition comprisesdetermining the angle of rotation based at least in part on a speed ofthe movement component of the input.
 20. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein the translation aspect of the graphical effect isproportional to the movement component of the input.
 21. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the graphical effect simulates aphysical response of the origin screen to the input based on at leastone of a position of the input with respect to the reference point, aspeed of the movement component of the input, and a direction of themovement component of the input.